Asante Samuel released from the Falcons

[jtnc]

Not happening -

The Panthers have signed several former Philadelphia defensive players over the past three seasons with ties to defensive coordinator Sean McDermott, who formerly held the same role with the Eagles.

The list includes linebacker Omar Gaither, safety Sean Considine and, most recently, strong safety Quintin Mikell.

And while the Panthers have several holes to fill in the secondary, it's unlikely they would bring in veteran cornerback Asante Samuel, the former Eagles Pro-Bowler released Wednesday by Atlanta (link is to Atlanta Journal-Constitution story).

Samuel played for McDermott in Philly, and some members of the Panthers organization were intrigued in 2011 when the Eagles looked ready to trade Samuel after they acquired Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie in the Kevin Kolb deal and signed free agent corner Nnamdi Asomugha.

But that was three years ago.

Samuel, who turned 33 last month, had a solid 2012 season for the Falcons with five interceptions, including one he returned for a touchdown. But he lost his starting spot in 2013 as the Falcons went with young corners Robert Alford and Desmond Trufant.

The Panthers could lose two of their top three corners from last season. They're not expected to re-sign 33-year-old Drayton Florence, and will have to pay Captain Munnerlyn more than the $1.1 million he made last year.

The Panthers like the way undrafted rookie Melvin White developed, and are at fish-or-cut-bait point with Josh Norman and Josh Thomas.

It seems more likely the Panthers will try to re-sign Munnerlyn and go after a free agent younger than Samuel, who is probably an emergency fall-back option at best.

http://blogs.charlotte.com/panthers/2014/02/asante-samuel-sean-mcdermott-panthers-falcons-eagles-nfl.html

Joe Person is a very reliable source.

(Sarcasm)

[neverlosethefeeling]

Any info he could provide on either side of the ball would be invaluable. Division rivals snag cast off players all the time just to try and get any advantage they can. The Patriots are notorious for it. It happened numerous times this past season where teams picked up guys that were cut just for the week they played the guy's former team. This league is so competitive you best believe the Saints and Bucs will be looking at this guy.

 

Ok. But at the end of the day which would you prefer: a guy that can give us a little bit of insight into an already well-known division rival or a guy that can contribute regularly on the field? If he can do the first but not the second he's useful for a grand total of 2 games a year. If he can still play, great. Bring him on. But he lost his starting spot last year and I don't want to use our already limited cap space on a guy that will only be an impact for a small part of the season. Give me the guy who will make an impact for 16 games.

 

The Patriots have, as recently as this season, signed a player who formerly played for the team they were facing THAT WEEK. They don't keep them on their 53-man for the entire season.

[Match.com]

Are u serious I'm tired of getting straps

Sent from my SCH-I545 using CarolinaHuddle mobile app

[SauceBoss]

INTEL. This would be a great signing since Drayton won't be back, and Asante is better than Drayton.

[CPF4LIFE]

madden doesn't just pass out 88 OVR like flapjacks or something

 

LOL Hell yeah. Somebody is on some serious drugs to give Munnerlyn that high of rating.

[Evengelion]

veteran minimum.

[WOW!!]

Nah not a good tackler and for our defense the cb's have to be able to tackle. 

[KillaCamNewton]

Nah not a good tackler and for our defense the cb's have to be able to tackle.

Exactly

[panthers55]

Munnerlyn was arguably our best corner last year and is a good slot player. As much as people think we play mostly zone, I think we play quite a bit of man coverage.  We also play quite a bit of cover 1 which often causes the slot guy and the corners to play on an island.  How many times when Munnerlyn got burned was there no safety within 15 yards of the play.  

 

Munnerlyn is not a shut down corner which is what many folks want.  But he is surely better than most folks give him credit here.

[Johnny Rockets]

Nah not a good tackler and for our defense the cb's have to be able to tackle. 

That's putting in nicely....He is actually one of the worst (if not the worst) in the history of the NFL at tackling. I remember hearing that on the rare occasion he attempts a tackle, he will miss 25% of the time. That is the worst of the worst, even at the CB position.

[Mr. Scot]

Samuel's style reminds me of a guy who lived up to his last name, that being Chris Gamble.

 

Gamble could be a 'big play' guy in both directions.  When the risks he took paid off, great.  When they didn't, yikes.  And I think the same can be said of Samuel.

 

Of course, it is valid to say that a solid front seven is a big help to a gambling defensive back.

 

Either way, given the prior back and forth between he and McDermott, it doesn't seem likely to me.

[Argus Plexus]

1 year deal absolutely. Definitely do want for decent price.

[intangiblejohnny]

Just saw Football Insiders and it was said the Panthers are not interested.

[DeeJay]

I woudnt mind.